Beyond The Sunset, the Song and the Story

Composer Virgil Brock Writes Beyond The Sunset

One evening, in the summer of 1936, Horace Rodeheaver invited the faculty of the Rodeheaver School of Music to his home at Rainbow Point, Indiana. Among those attending were lyricist Virgil Brock and his wife, composer Blanch Brock.

As the evening progressed, the sunset over the nearby Winona Lake was so incredible, the faculty members began to talk about the unusual particulars of its beauty. The talk eventually died down and the group sat for a long time, silently soaking in the wonder.

Virgil's cousin Horace Burr, who had been blind from birth, suddenly spoke out with excitement, saying that he had never seen such a beautiful sunset. One of the other guests asked how it was possible for him to see events of the sky. Horace's reply was to have a lasting affect: I see through other people's eyes, and I think I often see more - I see beyond the sunset.

Back at home, Virgil was inspired to write a hymn based upon the events of the evening. His wife joined him from the piano. Horace was there also. When he heard the first three verses Horace reminded them of the storm clouds that had been hovering just above that evening's sunset, and suggested that be the theme of a fourth verse. Before the three climbed into their beds that night, Beyond the Sunset was ready for publication.